AMD "Misspoke" Saying DirectX 12 Won't Work With Windows 7

You might have seen reports circulating that Windows 7 won't support
DirectX 12, Microsoft's next, "low level" graphics API that will
introduce several improvements to existing graphics cards and the Xbox One.

The news is based on a video of AMD Chief Gaming Scientist Richard Huddy
speaking at the PDXLAN event. During the video of his presentation
(which has since been removed from YouTube) Huddy plainly says that
Windows 7 will not support DirectX 12. However, AMD has told GameSpot
that Huddy simply "misspoke."

"There have been reports based on a video of Richard Huddy of AMD making
speculative comments around DirectX 12 support on versions of Windows,"
AMD said in a statement. "Richard Huddy does not speak for Microsoft,
and he was unfortunately speculating from Microsoft’s publication of key
dates and milestones for Windows 7 lifecycle and mainstream support
policy. Richard has no special insight into Microsoft’s Windows or
DirectX roadmaps. Microsoft is a key, strategic partner for AMD and
we’re continuously collaborating with them on DirectX 12."

PC gamers
are worried about the possibility that DirectX 12 won't work on Windows 7
because as new games start to take advantage of DirectX 12 for better
performance and improved graphics, they'll essentially be forced to
upgrade to Windows 8 or the upcoming Windows 10.

Microsoft previously said that DirectX 12 will work across PC, tablets,
phones, and Xbox One. It didn't say if it will support Windows 7, but
that it's aware of the demand for Windows 7 support.